Torrey Pines Elementary School is a Blue Ribbon School

Torrey Pines Elementary School in La Jolla has been named one of 286 schools across the nation as a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced Tuesday.

The National Blue Ribbon School designation for Torrey Pines Elementary recognizes that it is a campus where students perform at very high levels, according to the Department of Education. These "Exemplary High Performing" campuses are recognized among their state's highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. Schools are also honored if there is significant improvements are being made in students' levels of achievement.

"This is an outstanding example of what we mean when we say, 'a quality school in every neighborhood,'" said Superintendent Cindy Marten. "I congratulate the staff, students and Torrey Pines community for their hard work."

In Washington, Sec. Duncan saluted the results achieved by all Blue Ribbon schools.

"Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers," said Secretary Duncan. "National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education."

California's Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson also congratulated the 13 California public and two private schools that are recognized as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“These schools are wonderful illustrations of the work we do here in California schools to prepare our students to thrive in the world they will find outside of our classrooms,” said Torlakson. “I am proud to see them held up as national examples.”

To select National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Department requested nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 420 schools nationwide may be nominated, with allocations determined by the numbers of K-12 students and schools in each jurisdiction. The Secretary of Education invites nominated schools to submit an application for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.

The campus was honored for its overall academic excellence and their progress in improving student academic achievement. The U.S. Department of Education will honor all 236 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 18-19 in Washington, D.C. In its 31-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,500 of America's schools.

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